The Media Review: Luton Town

It would be fair to say that most of the writers in the Amex Stadium press box on Saturday had come in the hope that the romantic tale that is Luton Town’s recent history would continue. One scribe was even overheard asking ‘Is “fairy tale’ one word or two?’

Sadly for them and happily for Albion fans, there was no fairy-tale finish for the visitors in a 4-1 home victory. But the writers were all impressed with the performance of Roberto De Zerbi’s reshaped team and enjoyed the displays of the new signings. 

As Jim White of The Sunday Telegraph wrote, ‘as a baptism it may have been fiery, but for their first fixture back in the top division after a 31-year absence, Luton could not have faced more appropriate opposition. Brighton, themselves a monetary basketcase not so long ago, provide the most obvious template of where the club wishes to progress.

‘The most remarkable aspect of their rise has been the manner in which they can sell off their best players every season and yet, through the application of smart recruitment, apparently improve in the process. The latest bit of cunning business was pictured on the front of the programme: an up-and-coming youngster called James Milner. He was quite superb here. Do not be surprised if this time next year, Chelsea offer £100 million for him.

‘It is indicative of Brighton’s transfer efficacy that Milner was not the best newcomer on display. Replacing the departed Alexis Mac Allister and the soon-to-be-gone Moises Caicedo in the centre of midfield was Mahmoud Dahoud, signed on a free from Dortmund. 

‘Not exactly an unknown, he was playing in plain sight for years in the Bundesliga. Yet somehow all the top clubs have passed on the 27-year-old. And here he was at the Amex controlling everything, some of his passes such works of art they deserved to be framed and hung in a gallery.

‘Against such opponents, Luton tried. With their new signing Ross Barkley reckoned by Edwards not to be yet quite up to speed, they nonetheless demonstrated real spirit, real togetherness. But leather-lunged effort will ultimately be trumped by quality. And Brighton have that in abundance.’

In The Sunday Times, Gregor Robertson wrote that ‘Brighton handed debuts to Joao Pedro, Mahmoud Dahoud and James Milner, and all three impressed. Brighton made Luton defend crosses, block shots and hold out against a barrage of attacks. 

‘When Kaoru Mitoma volleyed wide wastefully, Roberto De Zerbi spun away to his bench in disgust. Moments later, though, Mitoma snaffled a yard of space, whipped a cross to the back post, and March was on hand to head home.’ 

Albion doubled the lead when Joao Pedro converted a penalty but Tom Hopkinson of The Sunday Mirror was not convinced about referee David Coote’s decision to award the spot kick, or that of VAR Robert Jones to uphold it. 

But he added: ‘The Seagulls skipper launched himself to try to cut out substitute Jacob Brown’s cross, the ball hit his trailing arm having travelled behind his back, and after Coote gave the decision, Jones didn’t feel the need to overturn it.

‘As it transpired here, Brighton didn’t have to wait too long to restore their two-goal lead through substitute Simon Adingra, making his debut for the home side after spending last season on loan at Belgian side Union SC.

‘And they added to it when Evan Ferguson slid to meet Pervis Estupinan’s cross in stoppage time.’

In The Mail On Sunday, Kieran Gill noted that ‘the Luton players who started had 63 Premier League games’ worth of experience between them. Brighton had 1,621 worth on show and James Milner alone accounted for 620 of those.

‘Rob Edwards’ Luton do not have delusions of grandeur. They accept they are swimming in a tank full of sharks and that Brighton smelled blood here, even without the wantaway Moises Caicedo providing them with their usual bite in midfield.

‘Brighton’s supporters sang about being “top of the league” after seeing Solly March, Evan Ferguson and two debutants in Simon Adingra and Joao Pedro score. That they are. [Or were until Newcastle United scored their fifth goal against Aston Villa.]

‘Roberto De Zerbi was his usual self on the touchline, unleashing hell whenever he was unhappy. His standards are still as high as ever, even though Brighton have lost – and are still losing – their talents to the summer’s transfer window.

‘Without Mac Allister and Caicedo, Brighton’s midfield consisted of Pascal Gross and Mahmoud Dahoud. Milner, the 37-year-old debutant, was at right back running up and down his wing tirelessly.’

Ed Aarons of The Observer wrote that ‘Luton defended valiantly throughout and even looked like they might snatch something when Carlton Morris slotted home their first Premier League goal from the penalty spot with 10 minutes to play.

‘But it was the substitute Simon Adingra who settled this after a mistake from Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu before Evan Ferguson rounded things off with a late fourth.

‘With Alexis Mac Allister departed and Caicedo expected to follow him, De Zerbi turned to the Germany international Mahmoud Dahoud to fill the void and deployed Milner at right-back.

‘They and João Pedro, the £30m club record signing from Watford, made a strong impression on their debuts but the Brighton manager was particularly delighted with the Ivory Coast forward Adingra – who spent last season on loan at Union SG, Brighton’s sister club in Belgium – after the 21-year-old’s decisive goal seven minutes after coming off the bench with Ferguson.

‘“He can play with the same quality on the left or the right,” said De Zerbi. “But we have a lot of attacking options this season”.’